On Friday 15 March 2019, millions of students around the world participated in school strikes to speak out about climate change.

If you believed the mainstream media news services and politicians, you would probably think the kids skipped school, yelled at the clouds, and then took off for a fast-food outlet down the road.

You would be wrong. Very wrong!

The School Strike 4 Climate was motivated by one person, Greta Thunberg, but it has been moved and developed by many more. Students have now seen how they can speak up about a future they are far more invested in than those in power. It has grown to include multiple cities and towns around the world. For every negative comment thrown at them, many more kids have said “Enough!”.

What Would Kids Know

Too many politicians and news services are pointing out, ridiculing, and attempting to shame the participants of the School Strike 4 Climate for one reason: they are kids. And yet the whole reason the kids are protesting is because they want to be heard.

We have been supporting a movement for women to speak out and be heard without having to hear “oh, she’s pretty” first. And yet, we still can’t seem to shake this same attitude when it comes to kids. As I walked around the School Strike 4 Climate protest in Sydney, I noted many adults taking photos of kids holding witty signs and colourful placards. At first glance, it was heartwarming to see older generations supporting the students in their efforts.

On closer inspection, I was then disturbed by the same adults commenting on how “cute” these kids are. It was just oh-so-adorable to see children holding up a sign with a lovely little drawing of the Earth, wasn’t it? Or how about the gorgeous picture of the rainbow over their planet? Or the funny little devil-horns added to Prime Minister Morrison?

And how many of you remember the message they were trying to tell you?

The point of these protests comes from children becoming tired of the brush-off from adults. They are taught all about climate change in school; about conservation, geography, science, weather patterns. We have huge campaigns to attract more girls to STEM, or build more STEM programs for primary schools. All of this is great until the kids grow up and realise: It is all One Big Lie.

Kids see this. They are not stupid. They see the news. They see the disassociative behaviour from adults in their communities: teachers; parents; council workers; politicians. Kids know they are NOT being taken seriously. They know they ARE being used as political pawns by politicians whenever it looks good on the television.

So, if kids are going to be dragged into the situation, why not do it on their own terms? Why not speak out with their own voices? Why not FORCE the community to hear their message by doing something drastic: By walking away from the institution that is teaching them about social responsibility and putting it into action.

Instead of congratulating schools for teaching the kids critical thought and social responsibility, some political leaders are instead freaking out because the kids ARE smart enough to figure it out.

This has never been about “skipping school”. It has always been about controlling the masses and shifting responsibility. Clearly, the kids do not need further education; they already know this.

Do As I Teach, Not As I Do

‘Aw, isn’t her placard so cute?’

‘Oh, he looks so angry about the environment. Isn’t it adorable?’

This is not a new tactic. Women have been the target of this same approach for eons.

Stop gaslighting the kids. Stop harassing them for missing out on One Day of school. Stop ridiculing their attempts to communicate with you and think about how you can meet them half-way. How you can RECEIVE the message.

All of these kids just want to be heard. They want you to think about their futures. They think about it; a lot more often than you realise. They want you to know this scares them. They want to know you care enough to learn more.

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I love any game that encourages enthusiasm and imagination in our children. Hell, I love any game that encourages that in ME!! But since I am such a big kid at heart, I consider myself an easy convert. The spawnlings, on the other hand, are a tougher group to impress. And they have asked to play Dungeon Mayhem every day for two weeks straight. That’s a pretty high commendation right there.

What is it: ‘Dungeon Mayhem’

If ever there was a gateway game in to ‘Dungeons and Dragons’, this would be it. Dungeon Mayhem is a fun, action-packed card-game with all the core characteristics of your fave DnD.

There are four (4) decks, one for each of the characters: Sutha the Skullcrusher (Barbarian), Azzan the Mystic (Wizard), Lia the Radiant (Paladin), and Oriax the Clever (Rogue). Each deck has the same core elements but come with their own tricks, gear, and skills. Each turn gives you the option to attack, defend, or put in to play some special skill that is always a lot of fun.

What’s in the Box

Four (4) x 28-card decks

Four (4) x character/hit-point trackers

Four (4) x reference cards (one for each character)

Four (4) x character/hit-point tokens

16 damage tokens

Instruction leaflet

Now. Let’s be honest: one of the sweetest joys of playing a new game is the ‘popping of the tokens’.

Photo taken by EG Mum

The first thing I love about this game is the artwork. It kind of reminds me of ‘Tavern Fame‘, in that caricature-ish nature. Each image is a play on the role of the character while capturing their unique features. Not just how the character is portrayed but in the actions and cards themselves. And it needs to be said – thank you so much for providing an even balance of male/female characters to play with, and greater diversity in characteristics beyond the usual stereotypes. Seriously. Thank You.

They all have their attacks and defence. It’s how they are portrayed that adds the DnD feel to it. For example: Lia, the Paladin, is all about justice and righteousness. Divine smite and ‘Finger Wags of Judgement’. And Fluffy.

Photo taken by EG Mum

How to Play

This is the best part because it is so easy.

You can play with two, three, or four players. Each player picks a character and the corresponding deck. Set up your reference card and your hit-point tracker in front of you. Shuffle your deck, draw three cards, and set it up like this:

Photo taken by EG Mum

The reference card is brilliant: it summarises each of the actions you have with your deck, including the special skills unique to your character.

Play starts with the youngest and then taking it in turns around to the left. You start your turn with 10 hit-points and three cards in hand. Draw a card and then develop your strategy to attack the other characters! Do you defend? Do you attack? Do you play for an extra move?

Photo taken by EG Mum

And there are no limits to the extra moves. You have to play every card in your hand and yes, you can play another ‘extra move’ card as your extra move. Your turn doesn’t end until you have played a card for each lightning bolt. If you play all the cards in your hand before using up all the lightning bolts, simply draw another two cards and keep playing. Often, the lightning bolts are combined with other special moves; like Sutha’s ‘Battle Roar’, which has everybody discard their hand and draw another three cards. Plus Sutha is allowed another move. Very helpful, especially if you are ‘card counting’.

Photo taken by EG Mum

The battle ends when there is only one warrior standing! Each attack takes a hit-point from your tracker. Run out of hit-points and you’re out of the game. Now there are rare situations where you might end up in a tie. For example, I played my pickpocket card from the Oriax deck, thinking I had a good chance of stealing one of the kids’ healing cards.

I was wrong. I stole Nefarious’ Fireball card. I *had* to play it. It applied three damage to everyone. Yes, everyone. Including me. So I went down in a blaze of glory and took everyone with me.

Photo taken by EG Mum

Buy This Game. In Fact, Buy Two.

Seriously, we really loved this game. As a family, we have a couple of suggestions:

Buy card sleeves to go with it. The minute you buy this box, buy a few packets of card sleeves to go with it. The cardboard is not cheap and nasty but if you are playing this game with the kids (and you should be), then the cards are going to need a little more protection. I don’t think they will be robust enough to last forever.

In saying that, you’ll want a small bag or envelope to keep the tokens in. The box is a very compact fit but it doesn’t leave any room for the tokens. That is pretty much the only thing I would change the packaging: make the box a little bigger so we can pack the tokens away properly.

Consider buying two packs. This game is designed for two to four players but it would be so easy to play with more; up to eight would be easy enough to manage. I would love to know if there are expansion packs coming but I would bet all of my chocolate they won’t announce that until they see the sales for the initial game. Even without the expansion packs, having two copies of this game would still be a lot of fun.

And ignore the age-recommendations. The box says 8+. Zaltu is 5 years old and she nailed this within the first round. Being able to read can help but the symbols on each card make it easy. This is your gateway game for getting the kids into DnD.

Overall: This game is not just a favourite in the family, it is now on the official travel/packing list. It’s the type of game that is easy to crack open and play while waiting for flights or distracting one kid while waiting for another’s swimming/martial arts/lock-picking class to finish. It is quick, entertaining, strategic, and down-right fun.

Where to buy it: Good Games Australia has the game in-stock online for $19.95. You can also ask for it at any games store, or follow the links on the DnD website for purchase through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Full Disclaimer: I received a review copy for Australian games distributor, Let’s Play Games. I was not paid for this review but I am grateful for the entertainment during the long summer school holidays.

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I finally made time to sit down and watch the return of Doctor Who tonight. It’s the middle of school holidays here, with a gazillion things flying around our haphazardly scheduled lives. It would take a TARDIS with a bonus K-9 to find a spare moment for all of us to be together to watch our favourite television show.

Tonight’s episode? Loved it. Really really enjoyed it. The new Doctor is brilliant as she learns about herself and balances all of her history. The new companions are warm and curious, with plenty of questions. Always a good thing. And the story was easy-going, with little distraction from the integral set-up required for the first episode of a new Doctor Who.

So let’s deal with the pink elephant in the middle of the room.

Yes. The Doctor is Now Female.

And you want to know something? It was not a big deal, as per the storytelling itself. The Doctor is still The Doctor. She is still doing everything The Doctor has done previously: Turning up and fixing it.

The big deal was in the lead-up. Hell yes, I have been a huge Jodie Whittaker supporter. I LOVE the opportunity for females to see themselves in the role as well. And for anyone who argues about needing to keep the male role model for boys, let me just share some words from EG Nefarious (possibly the second biggest Whovian in the family):

“Oh yeah. That’s still The Doctor.”

And that was it. No more discussion. He simply loved the whole episode. All three spawnlings loved the episode.

Which leads me to this our youngest spawnling, Zaltu. Our little geek who is still trying to find her feet in the world. The smallest yet mightiest of the spawnlings who often feels torn between her love for Sylveon (pink ribbons and all) and her desire everyone last one of us with Link’s Master Sword.

This spawnling whispered to me:

“My turn, mum. Now I can cosplay as my Doctor.”

I still think she made a pretty kick-arse River Song but I am looking forward to the next opportunity.

Doctor Who Limited Edition Barbie

Speaking of which, I am buying this for her Solstice present in December: Doctor Who Limited Edition Barbie.

Image courtesy of BBC

Now, there are many mixed views on Barbie and the appropriateness of image portrayal for young kids. I’ll be honest with you: I too am mixed in my feelings.

On one hand, I hate the whole idea of presenting women like pretty things with little substance. On the other hand, I still remember playing with my Rocker Barbie when I was 9-years-old because Barbie was the only doll/humanoid toy I could find as a tangible connection to my father’s music profession. For that alone, Mattel and Barbie have always been pretty good at offering Barbie dolls across various professions and geekdoms.

Zaltu still loves her Batgirl Barbie and has been known to linger around the Wonder Woman Barbie and NASA Barbie in various stores. I know the Doctor Who Barbie isn’t solely aimed at 5-year-old Whovians but for us, it will be a nice tie-in to a television show we love as a family. A tangible connection for our geekdom.

The Doctor Who Barbie doll is offered all around the world through various outlets. In Australia, it is exclusively available through EB Games and Zing Pop Culture. Pre-sale starts today so head in and chat with your local today (Tuesday 9 October, 2018).

Total disclaimer: I have received no benefit or bonuses or payment for telling you about this. Once again, I’m just enjoying sharing the news with you … even if I do have to line-up like all you other minions.

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This Friday night and Saturday morning is the best time to see the best lunar eclipse ever!!

Okay, slight exaggeration but this lunar eclipse is definitely the longest for 100 years! And it is visible almost everywhere in the world… except for Northern America. Considering they had the solar eclipse last year, I think they will survive.

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

As covered in a similar post earlier this year, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth and into its shadow. The Moon does not have its own light source; that big pizza pie in the sky is reflecting light from the Sun on to the Earth. So when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are all aligned, it means the Moon will pass into the shadow of the Earth. This also means a lunar eclipse only happens during a full moon. Waxing and Waning Moons occur due to the odd-angle the Moon sits relative to the Earth and the Sun.

The great news is you don’t need any special equipment; no funky glasses or special telescopes. Just pull up a seat and gaze at the moon. Bring snacks as well because lunar eclipses can last a while, and this one is the longest. Experts (like NASA and the Sydney Observatory) advise the moon will be eclipsed for one hour and 43 minutes!! During this time, we have the greatest opportunity to witness a “Blood Moon”.

Wait… What is a Blood Moon?

Some cultures used to refer to a total lunar eclipse as a blood moon. When the direct sunlight is completely blocked, the only other light seen is refracted through Earth’s shadow. This light looks red because of the ‘Rayleigh scattering‘ – that’s the scattering of light by particles.

Light, as we see it, is a spectrum of colours. When it is refracted (or split) through the atmosphere, we can see different colours. This is most noticeable with the blue sky and the different colours in sunsets due to dust particles in the air. For a lunar eclipse, the Sun’s light refracts around the edge of the Earth and hits the Moon. Blue and violet wavelengths scatter more than red and orange wavelengths, so the red is more like to reach the moon. Thus, it looks like the Moon is bleeding.

When and Where Can I See the Blood Moon?

The absolute best viewing points are from Western Asia, across the Middle East, and East Africa. If you are in Australia, Oceania, Europe, and the rest of Africa, you still have a good chance of a great site. North America and Greenland are out of luck this year.

Australia

Not the best timing for us but an early start shouldn’t kill me. If you are specifically after the Red, then make sure you are comfortable looking up around 4.30am AEST on Saturday morning. The total eclipse should occur between 5.30am and 6.30am, with the Moon setting around 6.55am. The Moon is going to be close to the horizon, so look to the West-South-West.

Asia

Those in Central Asia will probably have the best viewing of all. Look up from around 3.30pm and you might be able to catch the Mars Opposition at the same time. For those in India, you should aim for around 11:50pm local time on Friday night.

Middle East

The Middle East should be able to see the whole event in its entirety. That’s 103 minutes to make yourself comfortable. The eclipse should start around 10:24pm local time.

Europe

The days are pretty long in Europe right now. Follow your early dinner with an evening walk to the best vantage point by 8.45pm. With your warm Summer nights, you can probably stretch out on the grass and soak it all in. I’m a little jealous.

Africa

Eastern Africa will have the best viewing across the continent with other regions maybe missing the start. My contacts tell me the eclipse should be completely visible in Eastern Africa from 3.30pm to 5.15pm local time.

South America

Most of South America will only catch the tail-end of the eclipse, after sunset on Friday 27 July. However, don’t be too disappointed because your next big event is a total solar eclipse on 2 July 2019, with totality running through Chile and Argentina. Still, tonight’s event is a nice way to kick off the evening. Yes, I will most likely be dragging my tired sorry butt out of bed early in the morning to check it out. Due to my sleep deprivation during the last three weeks, I am giving no guarantees for photos. You’ll just have to wait and see.

It’s the most wonderful day of the year! A day to enjoy, explore, and excite your taste buds with a gift from the gods themselves: chocolate.

However, you cannot truly celebrate World Chocolate Day with ordinary chocolate purchased at the supermarket. No, no, no! Now is the time to break bad habits and educate yourself on the pleasure of chocolate. The good, the bad, and the deserving of your money.

Make yourself a hot chocolate and grab a choc-chip biscuit. It’s time for some chocolate worshipping.

Brief History of Chocolate

Most true chocolate-aficionados know chocolate originates from South America. The word “chocolate” is believed to come from the Aztec word “xocoatl”. However, chocolate back then was nothing like chocolate now. It was a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans and yet still considered the food of the gods.

All Hail your Aztec Goddess, Evil Genius Mum / Thanks to the Aztec Exhibit at the National Museum, Sydney 2014

Both the Mayans and the Aztecs believed the cacao bean had magical or divine properties. It was used in almost every sacred ritual from birth through to death and beyond. It was the extra special secret ingredient to … well, everything.

Sweetened chocolate, as we know it today, wasn’t really a thing until the Europeans discovered the Americas, and its local cuisine. Apparently, they didn’t really like the taste of it until they figured out how to mix it with honey or cane sugar. And then it really hit off.

Over time, chocolate has moved from being a luxury of the privileged upper class in Europe to the modern chocolate bar we lust after today. Joseph Fry, Cadbury, and Nestle have all had their impact on the development of chocolate and its availability in the mass market–for better or worse. Not all chocolate is created equal, being dependent on the quality of ingredients and the local influence. Trust me when I say, the chocolate used in ration packs for Australian soldiers over the last 30-years leaves MUCH to be desired.

The Art of the Chocolate

However, recently there has been a revolution amongst the chocolate lovers. No longer do we want it to be a common everyday grocery item. No longer do we want it to be a mass production of simple satisfaction for the general folk. We expect more from the ingredients, the production, and the end product we hold in our pretty little hands.

If you are going to celebrate World Chocolate Day, you have to do it right. Start with a local artisan who knows what they are talking about. I went straight to one of my favourites: Coco Chocolate in Kirribilli, Sydney.

When you walk into their Kirribilli store, you are instantly greeted with a cozy French-provincial feel of ‘welcome’. Everything in the store looks and feels and smells artisan. It is a pure delight just being in the store. I love it. I can’t rave enough about it. And it is EXACTLY the place I wanted to be for World Chocolate Day.

Rhianna knew what I meant. She was the staff of the shop today and happy to chat. When I pointed out how difficult it would be for me to work in a place like this, she exclaimed “Oh, I totally understand!! It is way too easy to simply enjoy everything but when it’s good chocolate… like, really good chocolate… you only need a little bit to enjoy it. I have to show restraint but I love the good stuff so much more than the everyday stuff.”

And that’s why they are perfect for World Chocolate Day.

World Chocolate Day

World Chocolate Day is not only about the chocolate (though, chocolate does deserve a day of worship). It is also a day to appreciate the cost of providing the world with chocolate. As soon as something is considered popular and valuable, you can guarantee greed will come in and ruin it. Chocolate is no exception. So many companies are too willing to source cheap cacao from vulnerable communities without any care for the impact it has. Companies who are purchasing water reservoirs and then selling it back to the locals at hyped prices because their CEO’s don’t consider water to be an essential right. Companies who are poisoning cacao trees, forcing farmers to sell up for ridiculously low prices and face destitution. Companies who don’t care how young their bean pickers are, so long as they are picking beans. Yeah, I’m looking at you Nestle.

EG Inc does not purchase or accept any Nestle products, due to its unethical behaviour in relation to water and cacao in South America, and palm oil in Borneo.

We are far happier spending our money with more reputable businesses, like Coco Chocolate. In fact, they say it best on their site:

All cacao couverture sourced for tempering at Coco Chocolate is ethical and producers are members of SEDEX, ensuring ethical and responsible practices in labour standards (including employment conditions, profitable income for farmers, supporting community development projects and no child labour), health and safety, the environment and business ethics. As a result all can enjoy Coco Chocolate – creating value for all through the supply chain with transparency, traceability, productivity and quality. – Coco Chocolate website

Why is it so important for me to share this with you? Because you need to know how easy it is to find businesses who are doing the right thing and reward them!THAT is what World Chocolate Day is about. Raising awareness of the conflict with chocolate and bring good businesses into the light. If you are doing the right thing, you deserve a bit of love.

So today, on World Chocolate Day, I am telling you to share some love with a local business. Find a store doing the right thing; be it work conditions, ethical sources, or employing the vulnerable. Be like the chocolate and give them some of your love. Share your divine purchasing power and show them your support. Let them know you see them.

If you have a local fave, share their details in the comments below. We all want to know the best places to spend our money. And by the way, if you want to try out Coco Chocolate yourself, they have an online store:

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Let’s be honest: I’m still recovering from Avengers: Infinity War (A: IW). Given I only saw A: IW a couple of weeks ago, it is still fresh in my mind. I, like many others, am desperate for a feel-good movie. Something to lighten the emotional weight now resting on my Marvel heart. I’m not asking for much; just a small, light-hearted story with plenty of strength in its characters. Something to share with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but still gives me breathing space. Something exactly like Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Where does Ant-Man and The Wasp Fit Into the MCU?

A: IW was massive. It was epic. It was all-encompassing, everything-at-stake type of stuff. It left me feeling like I had been in a marathon. From the beginning, you felt the anticipation as characters slowly started to meet and team-up. My heart was wrenched multiple times before we even reached the final scene. There is no way anything could possibly compare with it until next year.

AM/TW is the complete opposite. And it is so refreshing. The story is far more personal and brought back to a smaller scale. Yet this is exactly what Marvel needs for the last of its films in 2018. It can’t compete with the enormity of A: IW. Instead, AM/TW wins our ‘awwwwwww’ moments.

Ant-Man and The Wasp Stand Alone

You can find the synopsis almost everywhere on the interwebs right now, so let’s keep it simple.

Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are working on a big beautiful machine (kind of reminds me of the Hadron Collider) to search for Hank’s wife and Hope’s mum, Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is on the last days of ‘house-arrest’, following his part in Captain America: Civil War (#TeamCap). Scott suddenly has a flash of something Janet-related, calls Hank and Hope, and ends up in a marvelous pile of trouble. Along the way they face off against some other characters who are never really “bad guys” but more conflicts to keep the pace. They keep hanging around the storyline like flies ruining your BBQ. It is a fun jaunt in the private lives of Ant-Man (both incarnations) and The Wasp. In fact, it’s simplicity is the heart of the movie.

A Movie Filled With Characters

The strength of the movie lies in the characters. Each of the main characters is given a bit more depth from the first; none more so than Hope. I really enjoyed watching her on the screen. In the first movie, she was aloof and unsure of what her role meant, even to her. In AM/TW, we see more motivation and participation. She now looks like she is finding her own place. Hope works with her father; not for her father. When they bring Scott on board, it is made very clear The Wasp is not a side-kick. It is all about partnership and it working together. Yeah, it’s all kinds of sweet.

The whole movie feels like this. In fact, the whole movie feels like one of Luis’ crazy storytelling moments. With more distinguishing features between the characters. There are people meeting people in crazy situations, and you really have to go along for the ride. Even the special effects are smooth–far smoother than Banner’s head sticking out of the Hulkbuster in A:IW (which is still infinitely better than Superman and Moustache League). When partnered with the fight choreography, it is really enjoyable to watch.

My only concern is Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). She felt a little … incomplete. Her story is connected with Hope’s family but her role in it felt a little convenient. The fight scenes are fantastic and for that, I really appreciate Ghost being in the movie. I just felt a little wanting. There is room for Marvel to bring some more Ghost to the table in future. Maybe not a stand-alone feature but I would love to see her pop-up elsewhere.

All is saved, however, by Cassie (Scott’s daughter, played by Abby Ryder Fortson). Yeah, I’m a sucker for a cute kid with sass. This kid is given the best lines. She completely rolls with the dry humour, takes on the adventure, and drives home the motivation Scott needs to do his damn job. And she has a killer wardrobe; I now want to dance around in pink skirts with camo-leggings and Doc-Marten-style boots. In fact, I think I just might do that. I can’t wait to see her costume in 10-years time.

Is It A Family Movie?

This movie is all about family. From Hank and Hope searching for Janet to the open-family surrounding Cassie and all the characters in between. [Side-note: It is so beautiful to see a positive supportive extended family as portrayed by Scott, his ex-wife, her husband, and Cassie. Hooray for breaking down one wall of toxic Hollywood tropes]. Again, AM/TW brings everything back to what is most important: Family.

There are a few swear words in it, a couple of very subtle sexual-related jokes and nothing else to prevent me from taking the spawnlings to the movies (except for not being up to date on their Marvel movies because earlier films are not as child-friendly). The release in Australia is perfectly timed with school holidays, and equally well-suited for the Summer break in the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re looking for advice on toilet breaks, however, go before the movie. There is so much character development and funny moments, you want to be toilet-trained before you go.

And yes. Stay for the credits. It’s a Marvel movie. What else are you going to do?

… Can’t … say … more …

Just remember: Stay Away From ALL Spoilers. The collective gasp from the audience is enough to know your ignorance is worth it. At least this time.

4 out of 5 inches

I was invited to a preview screening on Wednesday 4 July 2018. All opinions are my own. I cannot be bought with free tickets and free popcorn and free water. Throw a frozen Coke in and we might talk… 😉